Bach 1723/24 (Leipzig Year I)
Following the first Sunday after Trinity in 1723, Bach performed at least one cantata a week in the Thomaskirche or Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, with church holidays entailing additional performances in both churches. Latin church music was often added for holidays, and was probably only partly written by Bach himself, and cannot be reliably attributed. Many of the cantatas performed in this year were newly composed, while others Bach had already performed elsewhere, though he usually revised or adapted them for Leipzig.
The following table gives information about what was performed in this period. It begins with the trials cantatas performed in February 1723, then lists the regular cantata performances from the First Sunday after Trinity 1723 to the conclusion of the cantata year on Trinity Sunday 1724.
In each
case, the Sunday and church holiday, the dates in 1723/24, and the
corresponding dates in 2023/24, and the works/versions performed are given.
More information on the works can be found on via the linked pages on our
website (with sample scores) or Christoph Wolff, Bach vocal. Ein Handbuch,
Stuttgart 2021 (Carus 24.073).
>> Download calendar (PDF)
* = Revival of an older work / New version of an older work.
Title in italics = Performance not fully attested.
If the Carus edition contains a version other than the one that was performed in 1723, this is noted in the edition.
| Day / Church holiday | Date 1723 | Date 2023 | Work |
| Second Sunday after Epiphany (Trial cantata Graupner) | 17.1. | 15.1. | Aus der Tiefen rufen wir GWV 1113/23a (Carus 10.352), Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden GWV 1113/23b |
Estomihi (Trial cantata Bach) | 7.2. | 19.2. | Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe BWV 22 (Carus 31.022), Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn BWV 23.2 (Carus 31.023: BWV 23.3) |
Bach's selection as Kantorei | 22.4. | ||
| Relocation to Leipzig | 22.5. | ||
| First Sunday after Trinity (inaugural cantata in the Nikolaikirche) | 30.5. | 11.6. | Die Elenden sollen essen BWV 75 (Carus 31.075) |
Second Sunday after Trinity (first performance in the Thomaskirche) | 6.6. | 18.6. | Die Himmel erzählen BWV 76 (Carus 31.076) |
Third Sunday after Trinity | 13.6. | 25.6. | Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis BWV 21.3* (Carus 31.021) |
Fourth Sunday after Trinity | 20.6. | 2.7. | Ein ungefärbt Gemüte BWV 24 (Carus 31.024), Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe BWV 185.2* (Carus 31.185: BWV 185.1) |
| St. John's Day | 24.6. | Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe BWV 167 (Carus 31.167), Sanctus in C major BWV 237 (Carus 31.237) | |
Fifth Sunday after Trinity | 27.6. | 9.7. | No known performances |
| Visitation | 2.7. | Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben BWV 147* (Carus 31.147/50), Sanctus in C major BWV 237 (Carus 31.237), Magnificat BWV 243.1 (Carus 31.243: BWV 243.2) | |
Sixth Sunday after Trinity | 16.7. | No known performances | |
Seventh Sunday after Trinity | 11.7. | 23.7. | Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht BWV 186* (Carus 31.186/50) |
Eigth Sunday after Trinity | 18.7. | 30.7. | Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz BWV 136 (Carus 31.136) |
Ninth Sunday after Trinity | 25.7. | 6.8. | Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht BWV 105 (Carus 31.105) |
10th Sunday after Trinity | 1.8. | 13.8. | Schauet doch, und sehet BWV 46 (Carus 31.046) |
11th Sunday after Trinity | 8.8. | 20.8. | Siehe zu, dass deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei BWV 179 (Carus 31.179), Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut BWV 199.3* (Carus 31.199) |
12th Sunday after Trinity | 15.8. | 27.8. | Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele BWV 69.1 (Carus 31.069/50) |
13th Sunday after Trinity | 22.8. | 3.9. | Du sollst Gott, deinen Herren, lieben BWV 77 (Carus 31.077) |
14th Sunday after Trinity | 29.8. | 10.9. | Es ist nun nichts Gesundes an meinem Leibe BWV 25 (Carus 31.025) |
Ratswahl (Monday after St. Bartholomew's Day (24.8.)) | 30.8. | 28.8. | Preise, Jerusalem, den Herrn BWV 119 (Carus 31.119) |
15th Sunday after Trinity | 5.9. | 17.9. | Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz BWV 138 (Carus 31.138) |
16th Sunday after Trinity | 12.9. | 24.9. | Christus, der ist mein Leben BWV 95 (Carus 31.095) |
17th Sunday after Trinity | 19.9. | 1.10. | Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens BWV 148 (Carus 31.148) |
18th Sunday after Trinity | 26.9. | 8.10. | No known performances |
19th Sunday after Trinity | 3.10. | 15.10. | Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen BWV 48 (Carus 31.048) |
20th Sunday after Trinity | 10.10. | 22.10. | Ach, ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe BWV 162.2* (Carus 31.162) |
21st Sunday after Trinity | 17.10. | 29.10. | Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben BWV 109 (Carus 31.109) |
22nd Sunday after Trinity | 24.10. | 5.11. | Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim BWV 89 (Carus 31.089) |
23rd Sunday after Trinity (1723 = Reformation Day) | 31.10. | 12.11. | Nur jedem das Seine BWV 163 (Carus 31.163) |
Organ inauguration in Störmthal near Leipzig | 2.11. | Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest BWV 194.2 (Carus 31.194: BWV 194.3) | |
24th Sunday after Trinity | 7.11. | 19.11. | O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort BWV 60 (Carus 31.060) |
25th Sunday after Trinity | 14.11. | 26.11. | Es reißet euch ein schrecklich Ende BWV 90 (Carus 31.090) |
26th Sunday after Trinity | 21.11. | – | Wachet, betet, betet, wachet BWV 70.2* (Carus 31.070) |
| First Sunday of Advent | 28.11. | 3.12. | Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 61* (Carus 31.061) |
Second to fourth Sunday of Advent: tempus clausum, no cantata performances | |||
First day of Christmas | 25.12. | Christen, ätzet diesen Tag BWV 63* (Carus 31.063), Magnificat BWV 243.1. mit Einlagesätzen (Carus 31.243 and 31.243/50 (Einlagesätze)), Sanctus in D major BWV 238 (Carus 31.238) | |
Second day of Christmas | 26.12. | Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes BWV 40 (Carus 31.040) | |
Third day of Christmas | 27.12. | Sehet, welch eine Liebe BWV 64 (Carus 31.064) | |
| 1724 | 2024 | ||
| New Year | 1.1.24 | Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied BWV 190.1 (Carus 31.190) | |
Sunday after the New Year | 2.1. | – | Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind BWV 153 (Carus 31.153) |
Epiphany | 6.1. | EpiphaniasSie werden aus Saba alle kommen BWV 65 (Carus 31.065) | |
First Sunday after Epiphany | 9.1. | 7.1. | Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren BWV 154 (Carus 31.154) |
Second Sunday after Epiphany | 16.1. | 14.1. | Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange BWV 155* (Carus 31.155) |
Third Sunday after Epiphany | 23.1. | 21.1. | Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir BWV 73 (Carus 31.073) |
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany | 30.1. | – | Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV 81 (Carus 31.081) |
Purification of the Virgin | 2.2. | Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde BWV 83 (Carus 31.083) | |
Septuagesimae | 6.2. | 28.1. | Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin BWV 144 (Carus 31.144) |
Sexagesimae | 13.2. | 4.2. | Leichtgesinnte Flattergeister BWV 181 (Carus 31.181), Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt BWV 18.2* (Carus 31.018) |
| Estomihi | 20.2. | 11.2. | Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe BWV 22* (Carus 31.022), Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn BWV 23.2. (Carus 31.023: BWV 23.3) |
Invocavit bis Palmarm: tempus clausum, no cantata performances with the exception of the Annunciation of Mary: | |||
| Annunciation of Mary | 25.3. | Himmelskönig, sei willkommen BWV 182* (Carus 31.182/50) | |
| Good Friday | 7.4. | 29.3. | Johannes-Passion BWV 245.1 (largely lost; of the surviving versions, the last is most similar to that of 1724; Carus 31.245: BWV 245.5) |
Easter Sunday | 9.4. | 31.3. | Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret BWV 31.2* (Carus 31.031), Christ lag in Todes Banden BWV 4.2* (Carus 31.004) |
Second day of Easter | 10.4. | 1.4. | Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen BWV 66.2 (Carus 31.066: BWV 66.3) |
Third day of Easter | 11.4. | 2.4. | Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß BWV 134.2 (Carus 31.134: BWV 134.3) |
| Quasimodogeniti | 16.4. | 7.4. | Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ BWV 67 (Carus 31.067) |
Misericordias Domini | 23.4. | 14.4. | Du Hirte Israel, höre BWV 104 (Carus 31.104) |
| Jubilate | 30.4. | 21.4. | Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen BWV 12 (Carus 31.012) |
| Cantate | 7.5. | 28.4. | Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166 (Carus 31.166) |
| Rogate | 14.5. | 5.5. | Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch BWV 86 (Carus 31.086) |
| Ascension Day | 18.5. | 9.5. | Wer da gläubet und getauft wird BWV 37 (Carus 31.037) |
| Exaudi | 21.5. | 12.5. | Sie werden euch in den Bann tun BWV 44 (Carus 31.044) |
Pentecost Sunday | 28.5. | 19.5. | Erschallet, ihr Lieder BWV 172.2 (Carus 31.172: BWV 172.3), Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten BWV 59 (Carus 31.059), Christoph Pez, Missa in a (Carus 35.006) |
Second day of Pentecost | 29.5. | 20.5. | Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut BWV 173.2 (Carus 31.173) |
Third day of Pentecost | 30.5. | 21.5. | Erwünschtes Freudenlicht BWV 184.2 (Carus 31.184) |
| Trinity Sunday | 4.6. | 26.5. | O heiliges Geist- und Wasserbad BWV 165 |
First Sunday after Trinity | 11.6. | 2.6. | Beginning of the second Leipzig year (Choral cantata year) |